Variable-speed friction-gearing.



, E. P. COWLBS. VARIABLE SPEED FRIGTION GEARING.

APPLIUATION FILED 211.21, 190s. RBNBWBD MAY 2s, 1913.

1,067,408, Patented July 15, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

11111 1.1 --2 mmmltll E. P. GOWLES.

VARIABLE SPEED FRIGTION GEARING.

APPLIOATION FILED 1113.21, 1903. RBNEWED MAY 2s, 1913.

1,067,408. Patented July 15, 1913.

S-SHEBT 21 TTNTTFli-Q STATES FATFN T FFTQF.

VARIABLE-SPEED FRICTION-GEARING.

Application filed February 21, 1903, Serial No. 144,522. Renewed May 26,1913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD P. CowLns, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Cilarren, in the county ofTrumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Variable-Speed i `riction-Gearing, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My present invention relates to variable speed friction transmissions,with the object of improving and simplifying the variable speed frictiontransmission illustrated in my application, Serial Number 125,930, filedlOct. 4, 1902; and co-nsists, iirst of a novel means for varying therevolving plane of the friction wheel from a position perpendicular to aradius of the friction disk passing through point of contact to causethe friction wheel to traverse automatically entirely across the faceo-f the friction disk, either way, without disengaging or slipping;second, of means for locking the friction wheel from traversing orcreeping while contacting with the disk on the dialnetrical workingline; third, means Whereby the friction wheel can be stopped, and heldfast at the center of the friction disk, without disengaginp` orslipping any part; fourth, an arrangement of parts whereby an unbrokentransmission shaft can be used between friction wheel and driving aXle,dispensing with universal or flexible joints, eX- tensible parts,couplings, clutches or disconnecting devices, etc.; fifth, anarrangement of parts whereby the turning effort of disk on frictionwheel, and of the transmission shaft on the driving axle, counterbalance each other; sixth, a pivotal arrangement of parts whereby thevertical vibration of the transmission shaft, due to the up and downplay of the body, has no effect to change the plane of revolution of thefriction wheel from a position perpendicular to the radius of the diskpassing through the point of contact of said wheel and disk, and theturning strain on the driving axle and friction wheel due to same causeis partially oompensated.

rl`he invention consists further in various improvements in constructionand arrangement of parts, and in specific devices for Specification ofLetters Patent.

Serial Number 125,930, filed Patented July 15, 1913.

Serial No. 770,057.

effecting vthe Vvarious movements, all of which will be fully describedin the followmg specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of myinvention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; Fig. 3 is an end view;Fig. 4, is a section through the locking device, on the lines A4,13,Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a view, partly in section, of the end of frictionwheel hub; Fig. 6 shows the central pivot in disk for stopping andholding the friction wheel; Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings, 8 indicates a driven friction disk,preferably the balance wheel of the motor. Engaging frictionally withthe face of said disk is a friction wheel 9, the hub of which slidesfreely on a shaft 10, but is rotatively rigid with it. To permit thisthe shaft and wheel hub can be connected by the usual slot and feather,or the shaft can be grooved like pinion wire and th-e hub of thefriction wheel 9 provided with inwardly projecting teeth sliding in suchgrooves as shown in my application, October 4th, 1902. Preferably,however, I cut about four grooves 11, in shaft 10, and provide each endof the friction wheel hub 12 with four antifriction rollers 13, to runin said grooves. Rollers 13 revolve on pivots 14, and are also providedwith ball bearings 15, interposed between their sides and wedge shapedblocks 16, so that by moving the pivots 14, toward the center, the wearis taken up all around. The pivots 14 take the strain of pressureagainst disk S and the ball bearings 15, that of the turning effort, sothat the friction wheel 9 slides easily on shaft 10, while doing itsheaviest work.

It will be seen that by the construction just described the antifrictiondevices are practically under the periphery of the friction wheel at alltimes. That is the rollers 13 and balls 1-5 occupy the same position'relative to wheel 9 at every point in the travel of said wheel. Thefriction wheel is required to traverse the guide 10 for a considerabledistance and if it were supported by ball bearings of Ordinaryconstruction,

which are free to travel relative to the wheel and as is well known moveat one half the speed of the wheel supported by them, the bearings wouldpass from under the wheel before it reached the limit of its travel ineither direction and would therefore be useless.

Shaft 10 and frictionwheel 9 are supported, and the latter held infrictional con tact with disk 8 by two link like brackets 17, providedwith sleeves 1S sliding on bars 19, projecting from the motor frame 20,on either side of disk S, and having` their axes perpendicular to faceof saidydisk. Said brackets 17 are provided with means (not shown) formoving them toward the face of disk 8, to take up wear, and regulate thepressure of friction wheel 9 on said disk which means may be similar tothat shown in my aforesaid application Serial Number 125,930.

Two rollers 57 of relatively large diameter and made of somenon-resonant material like rawhide bear against the opposite face orside of disk 8 from that engagedl by friction wheel 9, near theperiphery of said disk and on a diametrical line parallel with the axisof shaft 10. Said rollers have beveled faces, and bear on a beveledsurface 58 on disk 8, so that they run without friction or noise andthey counteract the thrust of disk 8, caused by pressure of frictionwheel 9. The bearings 59 of said rollers are rmly attached to bars 19 at60, Fig. 3, so that the strain of maintaining wheel 9 in frictionalAcontact with disk 8, is confined wholly to brackets 17, bars 19, andfriction rollers 57, relieving` the motor frame, crank shaft, and otherparts, of this strain.

Shaft 10 has bearings 21 in brackets 17. These bearings are cylindricalwith rollers or balls inside for shaft 10 to bear against while theirouter faces roll on the inner sides of the links of brackets 17, so thatthey perform the double function of roller bearing for shaft 10, androller bearing on brackets 17. As the ball or roller bearings within thecylinders 21 may be of any of the forms commonly in use they are notillustrated. Said bearings 21 are sustained by a bail 22, and to allowthe bearings to turn freely the bent ends of bail 22 are made in theform of fiat rings 23, concentric with the bear ings and shaft 19, andthese rings are provided with grooved rollers 24, which engage a flange25 projecting from the inner end of bearings 21.

Bail 22 is pivoted at its center 26 to an upwardly extending link27,'the upper end 28 of which is pivoted to an arm 29, extendL4 inghorizontally from a rock shaft 30, having bearings 31, in the upper endsof link brackets 17. On the upper or forward end of this rock shaft issecured' an arm 32,

adapted for having suitable connections (not shown) with a leverconveniently accessible to the operator, by which to rock shaft 30. Inthe normal wo-rking position of bail 22, and shaft 10, the axis of pivot2G, lies in an ex tension of the axis 33, of disk 8, and the effect ofrocking shaft 39, is to shift the axis of shaft 10, and friction wheel9, above or below axis 33 of disk S as is obvious. Pivot 26 is providedwith circular plates 34, like a fifth wheel to give stability to bail22, as is obviously necessary, owing to its curved fo-rm, and thisstability is enhanced by roll ers 2/1, bearing on the inner surfaces oflink brackets 17. Preferably a ball bearing would be interposed betweenplates 34.

The lower or back end of transmission shaft 10l extends unbroken to thelive driving axle 35, and is provided with a bevel pinion 36, Fig. 1,which meshes into a bevel wheel 37, secured to the driving axle. Shaft10 has bearings 38, 3S on either side of the pinion 36, secured in thegear case 39, and this gear case has bearings ll() on the axle 35, sothat the gear case 39 and shaft 10, can swing vertically while the twoextendedbearings 38, 38 give the shaft sufficient stability to resistthe effort of turning the driving wheels. Shaft 10 has also a limitedplay endwise through bearings 21, in brackets 17. This with its verticalplay just de scribed, accommodate the movement of the motor up and down,as the carrying springs yield in passing over rough roads.

It will be seen from the foregoing that shaft 10 is adapted to threedifferent movements-oscillating about pivot 26up and down with respectto axis of disk the cy lindrical bearings 21, permitting such niovements without friction) and a limited end play.

The present invention is particularly use in connection with motorvehicles and in describing the operation of the several parts it will beassumed that the invention is thus embodied.

ln operation and the parts being in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2,with the disk S, turning in the direction shown by the curved arrows onFig. 2, the vehicle would be moving forward with a medium speed. Theaxis of shaft 10, occupying its normal working position would cut theaxis 33, of disk 8. Any up and down motion of the vehicle body and motorwould cause the axis of shaft 10 to oscillate about pivot 26, which liesin` a prolongation of axis 33 of disk 8 and would carry the frictionwheel 9, with it and also the radius in disk S, passing through thepoint of contact of friction wheel 9, with said disk and, therefore, therotating plane of friction wheel 9 would invariably remain perpendicularto said radius throughout all such oscillations and there would be notendency for the friction wheel to t-raverse to or from t-he center ofdisk 8. If now the operator should rock shaft 30 to (for instance) lowerfriction wheel 9 below its diametrical working line on disk 8 so as tobring the axis of shaft 10 to the broken line C Fig. 2, the radius ofdisk 8 passing through the point of Contact of the friction wheel withsaid disk would be that indicated by the line D. Therefore the rotatingplane of the friction wheel would no longer be perpendicular' to t-heradius of the disk 8 including the point of Contact between said diskand wheel but would be at such an angle that the wheel 9 would traverseautomatically toward the center of disk 8, entirely across the facethereof, following the broken line C, in the direction of the arrow,decreasing in speed as it approaches the center, and reversing themotion of friction 9 as it passed the center line H. In Fig. 2 it isassumed that the line E E, indicating the plane of rotation of the wheel9, is perpendicular to both the lines C and J as well as the diametricalworking line of the disk 8. This has been done to prevent obscuring thedrawings by the addition of the lines required to exactly show theseveral rotating planes of the disk when its axis is moved' to the linesC and J and because the movements and several positions of the wheel 9are clearly and in detail set forth in my aforesaid application Number125,930. Vith the above in mind it will be understood that the line F, Gindicates a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the radius Dwhich includes the point of contact between the disk and wheel containedin the line C, which point of contact is indicated by the letter Gr; andwhen the wheel 9 is moved as above described its plane of rotation willbe separated from the plane perpendicular to the radius D by the angleE, G, F. If now the operator rocks .shaft 30, so as to raise frictionwheel 9, and bring axis of shaft 10 to the broken line J, it is obviousthat friction wheel 9 will automatically traverse in the direction ofthe arrow adjacent said line entirely across the face of disk 8 to theright side, again reversing` as it passes central line H, and increasingin speed as it leaves the center.

It is obvious that when friction wheel 9 has traversed to the pointdesired, unless rock shaft 30 were moved back to bring the revolvingplane of friction wheel 9, mathematically exactly perpendicular with theradius in disk 8, passing through the point of contact, it would t creepslowly one way or the other. To overcome this it is necessary to employmeans for locking friction wheel 9 from traversing when on thediametrical working line on face of disk 8.

In the present instance I accomplish this by t-he locking device shownin Fig. 3, and enlarged section Fig. 4. Projecting from the side of rockshaft 30, diametrically opposite to arm 29, is a wing 41, extending theentire length of shaft 30, having on its outer edge teeth like a rack.Sliding and turning freely on shaft 30 is a sleeve 42, having its sidescut away to play over wing 41, and arm 29. From this sleeve extend thearms 43, 43, toward disk 8. At a point 44 nearly over axis of shaft 10,they are pivoted to an upright 45, having a ring 46 on its lower endengaged in a gro-ove in hub 12, of friction wheel 9. Arms 43 areconnected by a bar 47, provided with several teeth 48, which intermeshwith those on rack 41 when rocker arm 29, and wing 41 are in ahorizontal position and friction 9 on the diametrical working line onface o-f disk 8. Sleeve 42 and pivot 44 are of a length to givesuflicient stability to resist any tendency of friction 9 to traverse ineither direction when locked in this position. IVhen shaft 30 is turnedto lower friction wheel 9 arm 29 is in position shown in broken lines L,Fig. 3, and wing 41, is raised as shown at K', while arms 43 and teeth48 are lowered as shown at L', unlocking sleeve 42, and allowing it, andfriction wheel 9, to traverse. Then shaft 30 is turned in the oppositedirection bringing arm 29 into position shown by broken lines L, rack 41is at L and teeth 48 at K; in other words ra-ck 4l, and teeth 48, movein opposite directions. Owing to this double motion, a slight movementof shaft 30, serves to unlock sleeve 42.

When friction wheel 9 approaches the center of disk 8, from the right ifit is moved up on to the diametrical working line when it is 9,' or Jjinch from center of the disk, fric-tion wheel 9 will continue torevolve, but so slowly that the motion imparted to the running gear isnegligible, coming practically to a stop and for short stops where it isdesirable to let the motor continue running the movement of the vehiclewould be so slight that it would not be a source of inconvenience. Inthis position the slow movement of friction 9 prevents wearing a planesurface` on the face or "spo'tting.7 It is obvious that if from thisposition friction wheel 9 were raised or lowered it would continue totraverse reversing and backing or moving forward with increasing speed,according to whether it were raised or lowered. If however aconstruction is desired whereby the vehicle can be brought to a deadstop and held so without disconnecting or releasing any part or wear inga face on friction 9 I would employ the means shown in Fig. 6 in which49 indicates a circular plate or pivot about 4 inches in diameterturning freely in the center of disk leemos 8, its face flush with theface of said disk. Preferably a ball bearing 50 is interposed betweenits back face and the disk to take the pressure-of friction 9. Asfriction wheel 9 approaches the center of disk S it is raised or loweredaccording as it approaches from the right or left and runs onto pivot49, following the broken lines M or M as shown by arrows, where it isheld stationary and fast by pivot 19 around which disk 8 turns the pivotremaining stationary. Then friction wheel 9 is raised or lowered fromthis position it runs off from pivot 49 onto the disk and traverses tothe right or left.

ln Fig. 7 I have shown a different arrangement of my invention. 1n thiscase friction wheel 9 is maintained substantially the same as shown inmy application Serial No. 125,930, supports 51, 52, being rectangularinstead of circular or ringlike. Friction wheel 9 has bearing 53extending from support 51 and this support slides vertically on 52 whichis provided with sleeves and rollers to slide horizontally on guide bars55, supported in brackets 1S and bars 19, substantially the same asdescribed in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Extending back fromsupport 51 are two arms 56 to which is pivoted a link 27. The upper endof link 27 is pivoted to an arm 29 extending from the upper guide bar 55which in this case performs the double function of rock shaft and guidebar. The locking device can be substantially the same as described inconnection with Fig. a. The transmission shaft can be extensible andconnected to friction wheel by universal joint, substantially as shownin the application referred to, or it can be an unbroken shaft asdescribed in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3 connected to friction 9 bya hub and joint similar to my patent universal joints 317,737, May12,1885.

The part of the invention which relates to pivotal support 2G linkbrackets 17 cylindrical bearings 21, bail 22, hub shown in Fig. 5unbroken shaft. 10, bevel gears 36, 37, with extended bearings 38, 38are well adapted and applicable to my variable speed gearingapplication, Serial No. 137,309, filed Dee. si, 190e.

It will be observed that in the arrangement shown the effort of turningdriving axle acts to turn transmission shaft 10 up while the forceexerted by disk 3 to tur friction wheel 9 forces it down these twoopposing forces very nearly counterbalance each other and vary inintensitv together so that the power required to raise or lower frictionwheel 9 is very small at all times, and also by this arrangement themotion of the body and motor up and down as the carrying springs yieldas hereinbefore stated oscillate shaft 10 on Divot 26. This rollsfriction wheel 9 slightly back and forth on face of disk 8. rlhe sainemotion also rolls pinion 36 on bevel wheel 37 and the two always roll inthe same direction so that they very nearly compensate each other andrelieve the driving gear from shocks and strains from this source. Thenthe friction wheel 9 is near the periphery of disk 8 and the vehicle ismoving with its greatest speed and these shocks are severest, the twowheels 9 and 36 almost wholly compensate this strain.

The diameter of friction wheel 9 is preferably about. twelve inches andshaft 10 is geared to driving a-Xle 35, about 5 to 1, so thatpractically friction wheel 9 is 60 inches in diameter. Obviously verylittle friction is required between wheel 9 and disk 8 to propel thevehicle. 1t will be observed that friction wheel 9 is never disconnectedfrom the motor, and there are no intermediate clutches or disconnectingdevices of any sort between propelling wheels and motor. For this reasonno brake is required. rlhe friction wheel traversing toward center ofdisk, effectually checks and controls the speed of the vehicle. All thefunctions of regulating the speed, braking, stopping, reversing, etc.,are performed without coupling or uncoupling any part or disconnectingthe motor from the propelling wheels in any manner, and without slippingfriction wheel 9 on face of disk S.

In going down inclines, checking the speed, etc., the momentum of thevehicle is thrown on the motor, power being transmitted from the runninggear to the motor. The friction of the motor has such a great leverageon this power when transmitted in this direction, that it is practicallyneutralized, when friction wheel 9 is near the center of disk 8, butwhen it is near the periphery it might increase the speed of the motorbeyond a safe limit. To obviate this l would use an automatic balancewheel brake, substantially as showinv in my application, Explosiveengines, Serial No. 118,002.

1t will be evident that many changes in the details of construction andarrangement of the apparatus hereinbefore described can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention. Thus for instanceother means of mounting the friction wheel so that its plane of.movement may be adjusted angularly, and the point of contact shifted,may be substituted for those shown, equivalent devices may besubstituted for raising or lowering the friction wheel and other formsof support for movement parallel with face of disk, and adjustingpressure may be introduced in place of those shown. I intend in thebroader claims of this specication to cover all such equivalent devices,and in the more specific claims to cover the particular devices illustheinvention.

I-Iaving thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is l. In a variable speed friction gearing,the combination of a rotatable disk, a friction .Wheel engaging saiddisk, means for adjusting said Wheel to and from the center of the disk,and means for positively holding the wheel against movement transverselyof the disk when the radius of the disk passing through the point ofcontact of the Wheel and disk .is perpendicular to the plane ofrevolution of the Wheel.

2. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, a Wheel frictionally engaging one face of the disk, means formoving said Wheel transversely of the disk While engaged therewith, andmeans for positively preventing such movement of the Wheel relative tothe disk When the radius of the disk passing through the point ofcontact of the Wheel and disk is perpendicular to the plane ofrevolution of the Wheel.

8. In a variable speed friction gearing, the co-mbination of a rotatabledisk, a Wheel frictionally engaging one face of the disk, means forholding the Wheel in position With its plane of revolution perpendicularto the radius of the disk extending through the point o-f contactbetween the Wheel and disk, and means for releasing said holding meansand adjusting the Wheel to cause it to automatically traverse the disk.

4. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, an unbroken transmission shaft geared to thedriven shaft, a friction Wheel engaging the driving disk, and meansconnecting said Wheel ivith the transmission shaft, whereby said shaftand Wheel rotate together and the latter can be adjusted toautomatically move transversely of the disk While engaged with both saiddisk and transmission shaft.

5. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, a gear casing mounted on said driven shaft, a gearon the driven shaft Within said casing, a transmission shaft, a bearingfor said shaft mounted on said casing and adapted to rook about the axisof said shaft, a gear connected to the transmission shaft and engagingsaid gear on the driven shaft Within said casing, and a friction Wheelmounted on the transmission shaft to rotate therewith and adapted tomove longitudinally thereof, said Wheel engaging the driving disk,whereby the transmission shaft is adapted to swing in a plane at rightangles to the driven shaft and is given sufiicient stability to resistthe reaction due to turning the driven shaft.

6. The combination of a driving disk, a driven shaft, a gear mounted onsaid shaft, a casing mounted to rock about said shaft and surroundingsaid gear, a transmission shaft having a bearing in said casing andadapted to rock therewith about the axis of the driven shaft and aboutan independ ent axis intermediate of its length, a gear on saidtransmission shaft engaging the aforesaid gear on the driven shaft, anda friction Wheel mounted on the transmission shaft and engaging thedriving disk, the motion of the transmission shaft about itsintermediate axis acting to relieve the driving gear from shocks andstrains due to vertical vibrations of the driving disk or driven shaft.

7. The combination With a driving shaft and a driven shaft, of atransmission shaft mounted to oscillate about an axis intermediate ofits length, and gearing connecting said transmission shaft on oppositesides of said axis With the driving and driven shafts,

respectively, the parts being so arranged that sai-d transmission shaftwill be oscillated about its said axis as the driving or driven shaftare vibrated vertically and the movements of the gearing on opposite`sides of said axis Will substantially compensate each other and relievethe gearing from shocks and strains.

8. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, a transmission shaft, a, Wheel mounted on said shaft andfrict-ionally engaging one face of the disk, means for rocking saidshaft to shift the friction Wheel relative to the said disk and causesaid Wheel to automatically traverse the engaged face of the disk, andmeans for locking the shaft against such movement ivhen the plane ofrevolution of the friction Wheel is perpendicular to the radius of thedisk extending through the point of contact between the wheel and disk.

9. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, a friction Wheel engaging one face of said disk, means for causingsaid Wheel to automatically traverse the disk While engaged therewith,and beveled supporting rollers bearing against a beveled surface on theopposite face of the disk from that engaged by the friction Wheel.

l0. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, bars stationarily mounted on opposite sides of the disk, afriction Wheel mounted to slide on said bars and engaging one face ofsaid disk, and supporting rollers mounted on said sta- ,tionary bars andengaging the opposite face of the disk from that engaged by the frictionWheel.

11. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, a friction Wheel engaging the disk and adjustabletransversely thereof, and a transmission shaft connecting said Wheel.and the driven shaft and adapted 4to oscillate about the axis of thedriven disk and also movable about the axis of the driven shaft.

12. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a driving`disk, a driven shaft, a friction wheel engaging the disk and adjustabletransversely thereof, a transmitting sha-ft connecting said wheel andthe driven shaft, and mounted in vertically adjustable bearings, andmeans for adjusting said bearings to vary the relative positions of thefriction wheel .and disk for the purpose described.

13. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, a friction Wheel engaging said disk and adjustabletransversely thereof, stationary guides n opposite sides of the axis ofthe disk, a transmission shaft connecting the friction Wheel and drivenshaft and having its bearings mounted in said guides, a rock shaft, andconnections between said rock shaft and the bearings of the transmissionshaft, whereby said bearings and the shaft mounted therein can beadjusted to vary the relative ,positions of the friction Wheel anddriving disk, for the purpose described.

14:. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, a friction Wheel engaging one face of the disk andmovable transversely thereof a transmission shaft connecting the fricition Wheel and driven shaft, a. :bail connecting the bearings of saidtransmission shaft and adapted to oscillate about an axis normally inalinement with the axis of the driving disk, and means for shifting saidbail and the transmission shaft, about another axis to vary the relativepositions of the friction Wheel and driving disk, for the purposedescribed.

15. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a drivingdisk, a driven shaft, a friction Wheel engaging the disk and adjustabletransvers-ely thereof, a transmission shaft connecting the frictionwheel and driven shaft and mounted in movable bearings, a bailconnecting said bearings of the transmission shaft, a. rock shaft, andmeans connecting said rock shaft with the bail, whereby, by actuatingthe rock shaft the bearings of the transmission shaft and said shaft canbe adjusted to vary the rela.- tive position of the friction Wheel anddriving disk, for the purpose described.

16. In a variable speed gearing, the combination of a driving disk, adriven shaft,

a friction Wheel engaging one face of the disk, a pair of stationaryguides arranged on opposite sides of the axis o-f the disk, atransmission shaft connecting the friction Wheel and driven shaft andmounted in bearings adjustably fitted in said guides, a bail connectingsaid bearings of the transmission shaft, a, rock shaft mounted inbearings on said guides, and means connecting said rock shaft and bailand permitting the latter and the transmission shaft to vibrate aboutthe axis of the rock shaft to vary the relative positions of thefriction Wheel and disk and to vibrate about an independent axis Withoutvarying the position of the wheel relative to the disk.

17. In a variable speed gearing, the combination of a driving disk, adriven shaft,

a friction Wheel engaging one face of the disk, a pair of stationaryguides arranged on opposite sides of the axis of the disk, atransmissionshaft connecting the friction Wheel and driven shaft and mounted inbearings adjustably fitted in said guides, a bail connecting saidbearings of the trans mission shaft, a rock shaft mounted in bear ingson said guides, and means pivotally connecting said rock shaft and bailand permitting the latter and the transmission shaft to vibrate aboutthe axis of the rock shaft to vary the relative positions of thefric-tion wheel and disk and to vibrate about the pivetal support of thebail lWithout varying the position of the Wheel relative to the disk.

1S. In a variable speed gearing for .motor vehicles, the combination ofa driving disk, a driven axle, a friction Wheel engaging one face'of thedisk, and adjustable transversely of the disk, and a transmission shaftconnecting the friction Wheel and said axle, and adapted torock about anaxis transverse of its length, said parts being so arranged that theoppositely acting forces exerted on the transmission shaft by thedriving disk and axle substantially counterbalance each other.

19. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, a friction wheel engaging one face of the disk and automaticallymovable transversely thereof, power transmitting devices connected Withsaid Wheel, and a plate arranged at the center of the disk and havingits outer face flush with the face of the disk, said plate and diskbeing rotatably connected, and the friction Wheel arranged in suchrelation to said parts that it may be caused to traverse the disk to orfrom the center thereof on either side and when at or near the center ofthe disk can be run on to the rotatable plate substantially as and forthe purpose described.

20. In a variable speed friction gearing, the combination of a rotatabledisk, a friction wheel engaging one face of the disk and automaticallymovable transversely thereof, power transmitting devices connected withsaid wheel, a plate fitted loosely within a socket at the center of thedisk and h ving its outer face flush with the surface of the disk, and aseries of antifriction balls arranged between said plate and disk, andthe friction wheel arranged in such relation to said parts that it maybe caused to traverse the disk to or from the center thereof on eitherside and when at or near the center of the disk can be run onto therotatable plate substantially as and for the purpose described.

2l. In a friction gearing, the combination of a disk, a guide extendingacross one face of said disk and having a plurality of longitudinalgrooves formed in its outer surface, a friction wheel having a hubsurrounding said guide, and rollers mounted in said hub, on oppositesides of the wheel thereo-n, and extending into the grooves in theguide.

22. In a friction gearing, the combination of a disk, a guide extendingacross one face of the disk, and having formed in its outer surfacelongitudinally extending grooves, a friction wheel having its hubsurrounding said guide, and rollers mounted in the hub of the frictionwheel extending into the said grooves in the guide, and ball bearingsfor said rollers.

In a friction gearing, the combination with a disk, and a guideextending across one face of the disk, of a friction wheel engaging saidface of the disk, a plurality of rollers mounted in the hub of saidwheel and arranged to engage and travel longitudinally of said guide,and a series of balls arranged between the hub of the wheel and thefaces of said rollers, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2st. In a friction gearing, the combination with a disk, and a guideextending across one face of the disk, of a friction wheel engagingsaid. face of the disk, a plurality of shafts supported by said wheel,rollers mounted on said shafts and arranged to engage and travellongitudinally of said guide, a series of balls arranged between the hubof the wheel and the faces of said rollers, and means for moving theshafts of said rollers toward the guide, substantially7 as and for thepurpose described.

In a friction gearing, the combination with a disk and a guide extendingacross one face of the disk, of a friction wheel engaging' said face ofthe disk and having its hub surrounding said guide, a plurality ofrollers engaging' said guide, shafts for said rollers mounted inbearings in the hub, wedge shaped blocks for adjusting said rollershafts toward the guide; and antifriction balls arranged between thefaces of the rollers and said wedge shaped blocks, substantially as andfor the purpose de scribed.

26. In a friction gearing, the combination with a disk, and a guideextending across one face of the disk, of a friction wheel engaging saiddisk and adapted to be moved longitudinally of the guide, andantifriction bearings supporting said wheel and arranged to occupy thesaine relation to the wheel throughout the travel thereof.

27. In a friction gearing, the combination of a rotatable disk, a platearranged centrally of and rotatably connected with said disk, a frictionwheel contacting with the disk and having its axis normally in a lineformed by the intersection of two planes, one containing the axis of thedisk and the other extending parallel with the face of the disk, andmeans for effecting relative movement between the disk and wheel toshift the axis of the wheel in the plane parallel to the face of thedisk and to either side of said normal line, to cause the wheel totraverse the disk to or from the centerl thereof, on either side, saidmeans being so arranged that when the wheel is at or near the center ofsaid disk it can be run onto said rotatable plate where it will remainstationary while the disk continues to revolve, such change beingeffected without varying the pressure of the wheel on the disk orcausing it to slip thereon.

28. In a friction gearing, the combination of a rotatable disk, a platearranged centrally of and rotatably connected with said disk, of afriction wheel contacting with the disk and having its axis normally ina line formed by the intersection of two planes, one containing the axisof the disk and the other extending parallel with the face of the disk,and means for effecting relative movement between the disk and wheel toshift the axis of the wheel in the plane parallel to the face of thedisk and to either side of said normal line, to cause the wheel totraverse the disk to or from the center thereof, on either side, saidmeans being so arranged that when the wheel is at or near the center ofsaid disk it can be run onto said rotatable plate where it will remainstationary while the disk continues to revolve, such change beingeffected without varying the pressure of the wheel on the disk, andwhereby the wheel may be caused to move fro-m said central plate oneither side of the center without varying the pressure, backing off,slipping the wheel on the disk, or in any manner disengaging said parts.

29. In a friction gearing, the combination of a rotatable disk, having acentral plate rotatably connected therewith, a friction wheel contactingwith the disk and having automatically, and adapted to be run ofi oronto the central plate Without Varying the pressure lof the Wheel, orsliding the saine on the disk, or backing off or disengaging i5 theparts iii any manner.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD P. COWLES. Witnesses Gr. K. CANFIELD, S. B. CRAIG.

its axis normally in a line 'formed by the intersection of two planesone `containing the axis of the disk and the other extending parallelwith the face of the disk, and means for :positively shifting the axisof lthe Wheel in the plane parallel to the face of the disk and toeither side Vof said normal line, to cause the Wheel to traverse `thedisk to or from the center thereof to vary the speed and .past thecenter of the disk to reverse the direction of movement of the drivenparts Copies of this patent may be 4obtained for five cents eachy'byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

